When it comes to Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp, both are the best options for an adventurous trekking experience. In this article, we will provide you with the similarities, differences, difficulties, and more about both treks. With this, you can form your conclusion on whether to go for Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) or Everest Base Camp (EBC).
Nepal is renowned for being home to some of the most stunning mountain peaks including the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. Eight of the world’s top ten highest mountains lie in Nepal. Hence, it is no wonder that trekkers from across the world flock here every year to explore the different trekking routes.
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The Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp are Nepal’s two most popular trekking routes. Both trails are filled with scenic and natural beauty. The EBC and ABC routes have a few similar features. But both treks offer many uniqueness in their respect. Both trek routes are great choices for thrill seekers and nature enthusiasts. Therefore, trekkers embarking on either journey are guaranteed a rich experience.
The choice between ABC and EBC can also be influenced by time duration, budget, and what trekkers want to see and experience. Let us dive into the specifics of the Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp so that you can choose the right trek for you.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek Detail Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp lies in the western Annapurna region of Nepal. Mount Annapurna is the world’s tenth-highest peak and the base camp is located at an elevation of 4,130 meters. It is a moderately difficult trekking destination popular among trekkers. The route goes through the beautiful landscapes, terraced fields, forests, and enchanting villages of the Annapurna region.
You will walk through the luscious green forests and the alpine meadows. Similarly, be prepared to ascend and descend on varied terrains and stone staircases to reach the base camp. Trekkers may have to climb around 3,000 staircases during ABC Trek. The ABC Trek route goes through the Annapurna Conservation Area. The trail goes through the forests of rhododendrons, oaks, bamboo, and alpine pastures. The forest is also filled with a variety of species of orchids, mosses, and many more. The trek provides a peek at theAnnapurna region’s diverse flora and fauna.
The ABC Trek passes by the charming villages of Ulleri, Gorepani, Tadapani, Ghandruk, Jhinu Danda, etc. Moreover, while en route to ABC, you will pass by the Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Another best part of the trek is you will be able to witness one of the most beautiful sunrises from Poon Hill View Tower. It is an hour’s hike from Ghorepani village. The sun rises amidst the backdrop view of mountains. You can observe the panoramic mountain views of Annapurna, Macchapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, Himchuli, and many more.
The major ethnic groups living in the region are Gurungs, Magars, and Thakalis. You will pass by the traditional villages of these different ethnic groups while on ABC Trek. You will get insights into their culture and traditions. The ABC Trek will provide you with a chance to experience their local customs and hospitality.
Everest Base Camp Trek Detail Overview
The Everest Base Camp Trek takes you through the off-the-beaten path of the eastern Khumbu region, Nepal. It is situated at an elevation of 5,380 meters above sea level. You will have to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport in a 45-minute flight. After the flight, your trek will begin. The EBC Trek is a scenic and serene trek you can take in Nepal. You will walk through the forest of rhododendrons to highland pastures. The trek route goes through the Sagarmatha National Park. Hence, you can witness the unique biodiversity of the Khumbu region.
During the EBC Trek, you can witness the majestic mountain views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and several other peaks. From Kala Patthar (5,545 meters), you can get an up-close panoramic view of these mountains. Similarly, you will come across several ancient monasteries and stupas like the Tengboche monastery (3,867 meters). They have historical, cultural, and religious significance to the region. It is common to see colorful flags, mani stones, and prayer wheels at higher elevations of the trail.
Likewise, you will also come across the world’s highest glacier, the Khumbu Glacier which is situated at 4,900 meters. The EBC Trek is among the challenging trekking routes. The trails will get more challenging as you gradually move to the higher altitude. The trails can get rocky, uneven, and even steeper as you ascend and descend. Trekkers may have to cross several suspension bridges and glacial moraines. But the trek is worth every effort. In addition to the panoramic mountain views, and serene and diverse biodiversity, EBC Trek also provides the opportunity to explore the region’s culture.
You will come across picturesque Sherpa settlements like Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and many more. It offers an insight into the Sherpa people’s culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Amidst the challenges, the Everest Base Camp Trek is a rich and awe-inspiring experience.
Foods and Accommodation During ABC VS EBC Trek
The most common accommodations found during the Annapurna Base Camp Trek are tea houses and lodges run by the locals. There are also camping accommodations available. These tea houses and lodges are tourist-friendly and budget-friendly. They provide basic facilities like beds, blankets, pillows, and meals. The rooms are usually on a twin-sharing basis and there are shared bathrooms and communal dining space. As you go to a higher elevation, 7 to 9 people may have to share a single room. Facilities like wifi are limited and the connectivity is very poor. At higher elevations, the accommodations charge extra for hot showers, wifi/internet, charging electronics, etc.
The EBC Trek accommodations range from basic tea houses to luxurious lodges. Similarly, you can find cheap accommodations to luxurious ones. It is possible to camp but since there are many accommodations available, it is not so popular. The tea houses usually have rooms that are shared. They provide basic facilities with shared bathrooms. It might come as a surprise but you can find luxurious accommodations on the EBC route. These luxury lodges have spacious rooms, beds with electric heating, attached bathrooms, and hot water facilities. However, these luxury lodges are quite expensive. The accommodations will become more basic as you move to the higher elevations.
Might be Interested in: Everest Luxury Trek
The meals found during the ABC Ttrek and EBC Trek are pretty similar. The accommodations usually serve the staple Nepali cuisine, Dal Bhat. The Dal Bhat consists of rice, lentile soup, a variety of seasonal vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat. Since the cuisine has a high-calorie count, it is ideal for energy-demanding activities like trekking. You can find other menu items like momos, noodles, breads, pasta, etc. Other than these, trekkers can enjoy the local specialties of the region during the trek. The price for the meal can get a little expensive as you move to higher altitudes.
Which Trek is More Difficult? Annapurna or Everest Base Camp Trek?
Let us now compare the trek difficulty of Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp.
For the EBC Trek, you will have to fly to Lukla airport from Kathmandu. From then onwards, you will begin your trek. Meanwhile, for ABC Trek, you will have to reach Pokhara. You can choose to fly or drive.
ABC Trek and EBC Trek both are moderately difficult routes. However, the EBC sits at an elevation of 5,364 meters and the highest elevation point is at Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters. The ABC is situated at an elevation of 4,130 meters. EBC trek is physically strenuous and the terrain is rougher in comparison to ABC. The high altitude further adds physical strain to the trekkers.
Another difficulty due to high elevation is the lower level of oxygen in the atmosphere. Hence, there is more risk of trekkers experiencing altitude sickness during the EBC Trek. The risk of altitude sickness at ABC Trek is not zero but still minimal in comparison. The unpredictable weather is another difficult part. The higher the altitude, the weather becomes more unpredictable. The temperature also becomes colder.
The trek duration of ABC usually takes between 7 to 12 days. On the other hand, the EBC Trek duration is longer than ABC. It normally takes 12 to 14 days to complete the trek. During this time, trekkers have to be ready to hike 6 to 7 hours daily on average. Both trekking routes are physically and mentally challenging. Trekkers need to have a basic level of fitness. However, the Everest Base Camp Trek is more challenging than the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Crowd and Popularity of Both Trek
Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp are both popular and commercialized trekking routes in Nepal. So during the trekking season, both routes are pretty crowded. But when it comes to Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp, Everest Base Camp is more popular among trekkers. Similarly, the EBC route is more crowded during the spring season than the ABC route.
Autumn is also the popular trekking season for both routes. Trekkers and nature enthusiasts from worldwide come for EBC and ABC Trek in the spring and autumn seasons. The accommodations also get fully packed during these seasons. So, it is best to pre-book them before you head out on the journey.
Summer and winter are off-season for trekking. Hence, both routes receive very few travelers at these times. The bad weather, cold climate, and poor visibility make summer and winter unsuitable for trekking. The trail conditions can also get unsafe during these seasons.
Weather and Climate
There are four distinct seasons in Nepal. Depending on these seasons, the weather and climate can greatly vary. To make it clear to you, we will break down each season and its weather and climate:
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a good season for trekking due to the warm and stable weather. The temperature ranges from 5 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius at higher altitudes. Meanwhile, the lower region temperature ranges between 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. The temperature can also drop to a freezing point during nighttime at higher altitudes.
Another great part of trekking during springtime is that you can see the vegetation of the EBC and ABC Trek routes come to life. Both trek routes pass by rhododendron forests which bloom in different shades during springtime. There is a low chance of rainfall in both trek routes but there could be occasional rain showers.
Summer (June to August)
The summer season falls in the monsoon season in Nepal. The temperature ranges between 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. Monsoon brings heavy rainfall across Nepal and both EBC and ABC trek are affected by this. The bad weather and heavy rainfall especially affect the EBC Trek. As it can cause flight delays or cancellations.
The trail of both EBC and ABC can get muddy and slippery. In addition to the muddy trails, there are other challenges like leeches and bad visibility. It is quite unsafe to travel either route during this season. Even with proper equipment and gear, EBC and ABC Trek during the summer season are not advised.
Autumn (September to November)
The Autumn season has warm weather and excellent visibility for EBC as well as ABC Trek. The temperature is also favorable and ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius. However, it starts to get colder at nighttime and the temperature at higher altitudes also significantly drops.
The clear visibility and good weather make autumn a peak season for trekking. The trails are also in good condition hence both EBC and ABC trek routes are crowded in autumn. The views of the surroundings and mountains are also great. The crowd starts to get thinner during late autumn.
Winter (December to February)
It can get really cold during the winter months. Since Everest Base Camp sits at higher elevations, it is colder than the Annapurna Base Camp. The temperature can drop below the freezing point. It can drop to -13 degrees Celsius at nighttime. Similarly, EBC experiences more snowfall during the winter season than ABC. Hence, it can block the high passes of the EBC route.
Compared to EBC Trek, ABC Trek is doable in wintertime. Trekkers should prepare proper equipment and clothing to combat the cold weather and climate. Similarly, weather forecasts and trail conditions should be checked before starting your ABC Trek.
The weather and climate of the Everest Base Camp are colder than the Annapurna Base Camp all year round. Since ABC lies at a relatively lower altitude, it is warmer than the EBC region. Always choose the right season for a better trekking experience in either trek route. However, the trails can be crowded during the peak seasons.
Permits Required For Annapurna and Everest Base Camp
Permits for Annapurna Base Camp
For the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, trekkers will require a TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card and an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit). Since the route does not lie in a restricted area, there is no need to get a restricted area permit. These permits can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The cost per person for the permits looks like this:
- TIMS Card: Rs. 1000 for non-SAARC nationals and Rs.300 for SAARC nationals.
- ACAP: Rs. 3000 for non-SAARC nationals and Rs.1000 for SAARC nationals.
NAATA’s Annapurna Base Camp Trek package comes with the permits included.
Permits for Everest Base Camp
The trekkers will require three permits including the TIMS card for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The other two permits include the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit and the Sagarmatha National Park Permit. The Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit can be obtained at Lukla. It is also available in Monjo at the Sagarmatha National Park Counter. The Sagarmatha National Park permit can be obtained in Kathmandu and also at the park counter.
The cost per person for the permits looks like this:
- Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit: Rs. 2000 for the first four weeks and then it goes up to Rs. 2500.
- Sagarmatha National Park Permit: Rs. 3000 for non-SAARC nationals and Rs. 1500 for SAARC nationals.
NAATA’s Everest Base Camp Trek package comes with the permits included.
Which Trekking is Best Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp Trek?
Now it is time to conclude Annapurna Base Camp vs Everest Base Camp. So which trekking is the best one
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is relatively less challenging than the Everest Base Camp Trek. It is suitable for beginners and is situated at a lower elevation. The trails are rugged but are not particularly harsh. Similarly, the trek duration is shorter and the budget is also lower than the EBC Trek. Another great thing about ABC Trek is its easy accessibility. You can easily access the region. You can travel via road or by flight to reach Pokhara from where you can begin your trek. Likewise, the trek route is filled with green and luscious vegetation, wildlife, and bird species. When it comes to risks, ABC is less risky and there are also low chances of altitude sickness.
For thrill-seekers who are looking for something challenging, EBC Trek is the most suitable. The route goes through the remote valleys of the Everest region. The time duration is longer but you will be rewarded with the majestic views of some of the world’s highest mountains including Mount Everest. Moreover, you can get a rich experience and travel by ancient monasteries and stupas along the way. The picturesque landscapes further add to the beauty of the EBC Trek. You can also experience the unique culture, flora, and fauna. Once you complete the EBC Trek, it is something you can boast about to your friends and family.
So as you can see both Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp have their charms and uniqueness. No wonder they are the two most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. So, based on your personal preference, budget, and time, you can choose the one that most appeals to you. NAATA has the perfect package for either trek. So if you are interested and want to know more, you can contact us. We assure you that we provide the best experience at the most affordable price.
